Course Descriptions

Digital Film-Making

DFM 200Introduction to Digital Film-Making3 credits

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of digital film pre-production. It provides a basic understanding of digital film production technology, equipment operation, terminology, and techniques. Students will write, produce, budget (financing, fundraising), cast a pre-approved script, and obtain all necessary clearances needed for a short film

DFM 300Directing Digital Films3 credits

This is an analytical/practical class intended to give students a basic understanding of the craft and art of directing the digital film. Through the study and analysis of scenes from shorts, features, film scripts, and a series of exercises, students will discover: the natural ''beats'' in a film; how to break down a script; how to work with actors; and how to develop a shooting strategy.

DFM 350Digital Film-Making II3 credits

This course is a continuation of DFM 200, Introduction to Digital Film-Making. The final phases of pre-production will take place, including scouting, script breakdown, scheduling, and rehearsing. For the remainder of the course, students will shoot and edit the project. The film must be a maximum of 5 minutes in length.

DFM 400Directing Digital Films II3 credits

In this culminating digital film-making course, students will plan, shoot, and edit an approved script. This course is designed to enable students to produce a short independent film. The entire class will work as the film crew. Students will participate in every aspect of the film production process: from casting to rehearsing, from shooting to editing the project. The final project should be no more than 12 minutes in length.